Jones Suspended One Year By USADA

Anyone hoping Jon Jones would receive a slap on the wrist for his failed drug test has seen those wishes dashed: USADA has suspended Jones for one year from when was pulled from the UFC 200 card. He will not be able to return until at least July 6, 2017.

ESPN’s Bret Okamoto announced the news on Twitter.

There had previously been speculation and hopeful comments from Jones’s legal team that he would receive a significantly reduced sentence due to taking a tainted supplement, similarly to Yoel Romero. While Romero was handed a six-month suspension when it was found that he had taken a contaminated supplement, Jones’s case appears to involve a sexual enhancement substance rather than a athletic-performance based supplement.

Jones will still have a hearing with the Nevada Athletic Commission, who could give Jones a separate suspension. Jones and his team will likely convince the Commission to follow USADA’s lead and hand the former light-heavyweight champ a one-year sentence.